Boarding Houseparent

Queen Mary's seeks to appoint an inspirational and dynamic Boarding Houseparent to join this caring and nurturing department.

Experience of the Independent Boarding School sector is desirable.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about the welfare and care of all the boarders and supporting staff in the day to day running of the boarding department.

With an instinctive readiness to contribute to the extra-curricular life of this busy, exciting and successful school. The candidate will be positive, inspirational, flexible, and calm under pressure, especially when working in a busy school environment.

This is a residential post with single person accommodation provided during term time. 

This is a term time role plus 1 week (plus overnight on-call) through term time. 

This includes Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday working when the school is in session (2 out of 3 Saturdays during term time and the Early May Bank Holiday). 

Working hours will be on a rota basis and the need to be flexible is essential.

Please visit www.queenmarys.org/vacancies for a full job description

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Specific Responsibilities

• to support the general well-being and safety of all boarding pupils

• to ensure the boarding area is fully prepared to receive boarders at the beginning of the term and thereafter is well presented and that packing and unpacking causes minimum disruption to the school

• to assist the Head of Boarding with the preparation of all paperwork and systems in readiness for the beginning of term and boarding inspections

• to be knowledgeable of and work to maintain standards in boarding so that National Minimum Standards in boarding are met at all times and to be determined to exceed them.

• to ensure the implementation of all necessary documentation including the log books, sanction book, signing out book and fire log and to assist with fire practices for the boarders.

• to ensure that all boarding routines and expectations are adhered to

• to liaise with the School Nurse as appropriate and administer routine medication as directed

• to administer first aid as and when required

• to care for girls when they are unwell

• to escort girls for booked and emergency medical appointments when required

• to collect medications as needed from the surgery or hospital

• to arrange activities for boarders as appropriate, for evenings and weekends, including Risk Assessments and recharge forms.

• to support the pupils in as many activities as possible, such as watching them perform in concerts, plays and matches

• to stock and run the sundry items shop for boarders and submit the charges to the Finance Office each term

• to liaise with parents as required, via telephone, email and in person

• to act as a link and liaise between boarders and the academic staff

• to guide & support other residential staff

• to liaise with Estates staff over the general fabric of the boarding areas, including logging issues or faults on the reporting system

• to attend formal weekly boarding meetings

• to attend and complete training as required

Person Specification

• Be able to exercise total discretion and uphold confidentiality, when appropriate

• Be an excellent listener and committed, reliable team member

• To help provide a happy, welcoming and secure environment

• Have excellent organisational skills and attention to detail

• Have excellent writing, telephone and IT skills

• Have a good working knowledge of Google Drive

• Have exceptionally high standards of discipline and integrity

• Be aware of the importance of Child Protection and Safeguarding of young people

• Be prepared to undergo appropriate training as requested

• Support the ethos of the school and broader education

• Have a clear sympathy with the advantages of single-sex education

• Be inspired by challenges and seek to set individual targets

• Have energy, drive, enthusiasm and a positive manner

• Be able to work as part of a team

Desirable Criteria

• Previous iSAMS experience

• A willingness to engage with and articulate the School’s Christian values, ethos and heritage

• Practising Christian

• Hold a full driving licence